The BMW M135i xDrive puts the hot into hot hatch and the automaker is putting the finishing touches on the facelifted variant. Dressed in heavy camouflage, the updated model looks a bit sleeker as it adopts slimmer headlights with a rounder design. They’re joined by a new front bumper, which has a revised lower air intake with horizontal bars. The model also appears to adopt a revised grille, although it’s hard to be certain at this point.
The modest updates continue out back as
the car has been equipped with a new four-tailpipe exhaust system that replaces
the previous dual exhaust setup. That isn’t the only change as we can see a new
rear bumper as well as updated taillights. Spy photographers didn’t snap
interior photos this time around, but previous pictures have shown the cabin
will get a significant update that incorporates a number of cues from the
2-Series Active Tourer. In particular, we can expect a 10.25-inch digital
instrument cluster and a new 10.7-inch infotainment system. They’ll be joined
by revised switchgear including a minimalist shifter.
While the four-tailpipe exhaust system
seemingly hints at a high-performance variant, the model is expected to use a
familiar turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It could be updated for
improved performance, but the engine currently develops 302 hp and 450 Nm of torque, which allows for a 0-100 km/h time of 4.8 seconds.
Those numbers are certainly respectable,
but they’re no match for the Mercedes-AMG A45 S which features a turbocharged
2.0-liter four-cylinder pumping out 415 hp and 500
Nm of torque. Thanks to the extra oomph, the A45 S hits 100 km/h in
3.9 seconds and doesn’t stop going until maxing out at 270 km/h.
